Deposit return scheme administrator Exchange for Change has announced a new six-month transition period to prevent a “hard cut-off” for millions of drinks containers covered when the scheme launches in a year’s time.
The move will mean filled containers made before the 1 October 2027 will now be allowed to be sold after the deadline and will not have to be registered with the body or carry its logo.
They will also not be subject to the 20p deposit for DRS, which will be paid by consumers from that date for containers covered by the scheme.
The body said it was encouraging the industry to sell through such stock “by April 2028 to support a smooth transition”, adding “in the vast majority of cases this will happen much faster, but this is not a regulatory requirement”.
The new announcement went on to say that unfilled drinks containers linked to orders placed before 1 October 2027, which would normally fall within scope of the scheme, would also receive flexibility.
An Exchange for Change spokesman said: “This would allow non DRS-compliant packaging to be filled and sold after launch, but only if they are associated with orders placed before 1 October 2027. Talks are ongoing, and any flexibility depends on regulators’ agreement.”
Packaging that does not comply with DRS and is not associated with an order made prior to 1 October cannot subsequently be filled with a product and placed onto the market, with the admin body stressing that this meant packaging without a deposit logo and a scheme-registered barcode.
“No flexibility applies to this packaging unless it can be updated to meet scheme requirements.”
Exchange for Change said it would be publishing further details of the transition arrangements “in due course”.
All single-use drinks containers made wholly or mainly from PET plastic, aluminium or steel, with a capacity of 150ml to three litres, will be included in the scheme when it goes live in October next year.
By law, there is no “transition” or grace period for the industry, which could in theory have meant companies being required to bring in the new labelling requirements from day one.
The Grocer previously revealed that talks were underway about a transition period to reduce the threat of supply chain chaos and to allow the industry to get old stock out of the system.
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